vitrais

Vitraux are stained glass windows, typically found in churches and cathedrals, consisting of colored glass pieces held together by lead cames. The term vitraux is the French plural of vitrail, and refers to windows that transform light into color and image, often serving didactic and decorative purposes.

Construction and techniques commonly involve cutting glass into shapes, selecting colors achieved through metallic oxides, and assembling the pieces with lead cames. Details may be applied with vitreous paints and fired in a kiln to fuse the pigment. Additional methods include the use of silver stain to create yellow tones and the copper foil technique for intricate, delicate panels. In modern practice, vitraux can also incorporate laminated or tempered glass and alternative bonding methods.

History and development of vitraux span medieval Europe to contemporary art. Early and peak medieval windows, especially in Gothic architecture, used large-scale narrative panels to illustrate biblical stories for illiterate worshippers. Notable examples include windows in Chartres and other French cathedrals, along with English and German churches. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw revived interest in medieval glass, with craftspeople and studios experimenting with color, iconography, and new techniques. In the 20th century and beyond, some artists expanded the medium toward abstraction and modernist forms while integrating modern materials and conservation standards.

Conservation and interpretation of vitraux involve careful cleaning, stabilization of lead cames, and, when needed, restoration of glass fragments. They remain important cultural artifacts, valued for their artistic craft, historical significance, and the way they modulate light within interior spaces.